Vegetarian birds more sociable than insect eaters
Weaver birds that eat seeds flock together and nest in colonies more commonly than those species that eat insects, suggests new research by an international team of scientists led by the Milner Center for Evolution at the University of Bath. For the.....»»
Pair-bonded Java sparrows show enlarged eye rings to signal breeding readiness
Birds are known for their elaborate courtship rituals and romantic gestures that are replete with beautiful songs, complex dances, gift-giving practices, preening, and flamboyant plumage. While changes in colorful external attributes during this peri.....»»
How mosquito-controlling bacteria might also enhance insect fertility
A new study reveals biological mechanisms by which a specific strain of bacteria in the Wolbachia genus might enhance the fertility of the insects it infects—with potentially important implications for mosquito-control strategies. Shelbi Russell of.....»»
New deadly bird flu cases reported in Iowa, joining 3 other states as disease resurfaces
Two commercial turkey farms in Iowa have been hit by the reemerging highly pathogenic bird flu, causing about 100,000 birds to be killed to prevent the disease from spreading......»»
Q&A: Do we need a new approach to prevent bird window strikes?
In early October, nearly 1,000 birds perished after colliding with the windows of a convention center near Lake Michigan in Chicago, marking the largest mass bird die-off in decades. But bird window-strike fatalities are an ongoing threat. Illinois N.....»»
To find out how wildlife is doing, scientists try listening
A reedy pipe and a high-pitched trill duet against the backdrop of a low-pitched insect drone. Their symphony is the sound of a forest, and is monitored by scientists to gauge biodiversity......»»
Birds nesting in agricultural lands more vulnerable to extreme heat, study finds
As climate change intensifies extreme heat, farms are becoming less hospitable to nesting birds, a new study found. That could be another barrier to maintaining rapidly eroding biodiversity that also provides benefits to humans, including farmers who.....»»
Why you should count your chickens (and kookaburras, lorikeets or other backyard birds)
This year is the tenth annual Aussie Backyard Bird Count, which Professor Simon Griffith says highlights the important role citizen science projects play in our understanding of changes taking place in our world......»»
Study results indicate organophosphorus flame retardants induce malformations in avian embryos
Tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP) is one of the organophosphorus flame retardants that has been detected in the environment, and in the eggs, feathers, and liver of birds. Early developmental avian embryos are known to be sensitive to chemica.....»»
Heat waves harm bird reproduction on agricultural lands, research suggests
Bird populations are in rapid decline across North America. While climate change is just one of the many factors influencing North American birds, its effects are significant and can interact with other stressors, such as habitat loss. A team of Univ.....»»
Insect researcher: Non-destructive methods are needed
New research has shed light on the importance of revolutionizing methods in entomology. A publication titled "The need for a (non-destructive) method revolution in entomology" has highlighted how to improve our understanding of insects without harmin.....»»
The impact of man-made noise on magpie behavior
Human noise pollution is taking its toll on the iconic Australian magpie, affecting the songbirds' ability to forage for food, communicate and respond to alarm calls—but smart birds are less affected than others......»»
Baby birds hatch with ability to mimic mom
Singing a gentle lullaby can help put a human baby to sleep but its usefulness in the low grassland swaying nests of Australian songbirds takes maternal 'singing' to even greater heights......»»
Up to a billion birds collide with glass buildings every year, but architecture has solutions
At least 1,000 birds were killed in one day in early October, when they collided with a single Chicago building, McCormick Place—the largest convention center in North America. A paradigm of architectural modernism, McCormick Place was built in sta.....»»
Real-time visualization of plant-plant communications through airborne volatiles
Plants emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere upon mechanical damages or insect attacks. Undamaged neighboring plants sense the released VOCs as danger cues to activate defense responses against upcoming threats. This phenomenon o.....»»
Scientists combine evolution, physics, and robotics to decode insect flight
Some insects' wings flap without brain input. Robots help us understand how. Enlarge / A hawk moth in flight. (credit: Gregory Dubus) Different insects flap their wings in different manners. Understanding the variations.....»»
Solar Storms Can Hinder Bird Migration
New research suggests that solar storms interfere with the magnetic compass that birds use for long-distance travel.....»»
Study shows birds disperse eaten insects" eggs
Relationship patterns among flightless stick insects suggest that birds disperse the eggs after eating gravid females. Lab experiments previously suggested the possibility, but a new genetic analysis of natural populations in Japan by Kobe University.....»»
Space weather disrupts nocturnal bird migration, study finds
It's well-known that birds and other animals rely on Earth's magnetic field for long-distance navigation during seasonal migrations......»»
Night owls may earn less than early birds: Study reveals connections between circadian rhythm and income level
Researchers from the University of Oulu, Finland, have uncovered a link between internal circadian rhythm and income levels. According to the study, now published in Economics & Human Biology, individuals who tend to be more active in the evening hou.....»»
Vaccine may save endangered California condors from succumbing to bird flu
Avian flu vaccines are being used on birds for the first time in the US. Enlarge / A numbered and tagged California Condor in the wild. (credit: Educational Images via Getty) Early March last year, an endangered Californ.....»»